Dear All,
PLEASE ENSURE YOU READ THIS TO THE END, PREFERABLY
WHEN YOU ARE LESS BUSY.
I can only imagine....
"Heaven", as written by a 17
Year Old Boy
This is excellent and really gets you thinking
about what will happen in Heaven.
17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to
write something for a class. The subject was what Heaven was like.
"I wowed 'em," he later told his father, Bruce. It's a killer.
It's the bomb. It's the best thing I ever wrote." It also was the
last.
Brian's parents had forgotten about the essay when
a cousin found it while cleaning out the teenager's locker at Teays
Valley High School in Pickaway County
Brian had been dead only hours, but his parents desperately wanted every
piece of his life near them, notes from classmates and teachers, and his
homework. Only two months before, he had handwritten the essay about
encountering Jesus in a file room full of cards detailing every moment of
the teen's life. But it was only after Brian's death that Beth and Bruce
Moore realized that their son had described his view of heaven.
It makes such an impact that people want to share
it. "You feel like you are there," Mr. Moore said.. Brian Moore
died May 27, 1997, the day after Memorial Day. He was driving home from a
friend's house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce
Road in Pickaway County and struck a
utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed
power line and was electrocuted.
The Moore 's framed a copy of Brian's essay and
hung it among the family portraits in the living room. "I think God
used him to make a point. I think we were meant to find it and make
something out of it," Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her
husband want to share their son's vision of life after death. "I'm
happy for Brian.. I know he's in heaven. I know I'll see him.
Here is Brian's essay entitled:
" The Room."
In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I
found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except
for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the
ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical
order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and
seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings.
As I drew near the wall of files, the first to
catch my attention was one that read "Girls I have liked." I
opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it,
shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And
then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room
with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were
written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my
memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with
horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring
their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of
shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if
anyone was watching.
A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I
have betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright
weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told,"
"Comfort I have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed at."
Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've yelled
at my brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have
Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at
My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents Often
there were many more cards than expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I
was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived.
Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of
these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this
truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my
signature.
When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I have watched," I
realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly,
and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I
shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast
time I knew that file represented.
When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill
run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to
test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content.
I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost
animal rage broke on me.
One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one
must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In insane frenzy I
yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and
burn the cards...
But as I took it at one end and began pounding it
on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and
pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to
tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot.
Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying
sigh.
And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel
With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost
unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches
long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one
hand.
And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so
deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I
fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming
shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled
eyes... No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and
hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.
No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus.. I watched helplessly
as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to
watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at
His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.. He seemed to intuitively go
to the worst boxes.
Why did He have to read every one? Finally He
turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity
in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head,
covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and
put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't
say a word. He just cried with me.
Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end
of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name
over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him.. All I
could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him.
His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so
rich, so dark, and so alive.
The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written
with His blood. He gently took the card back He smiled a sad smile and
began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it
so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last
file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and
said, "It is finished."
I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door.
There were still cards to be written..
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever
believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
For by grace are you saved through faith, and
that not of your selves, it is thegift of God, not of works lest
any man
should boast. Eph. 2:8-9
If you feel the same way forward it to as many
people as you can so the love of Jesus will touch their lives also. My
"People I shared the gospel with" file just got bigger, how
about yours?
IF THERE IS ONE EMAIL THAT I HAVE READ THAT NEEDS TO GO AROUND THE WORLD,
IT IS THIS ONE, PLEASE PASS THIS TO EVERY ONE YOU KNOW, CHRISTIAN OR NOT!
"LET'S FILL OUR OWN FILE CARD" AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
You don't have to share this with anybody, no one will know whether you
did or not, but you will know and so will He.
|